Why Use Arbor Wood Southern Yellow Pine Decking and Siding

Many construction professionals who’ve wrestled with Southern Yellow Pine decking have some pretty strong opinions about this species—and a lot of those field-tested reviews aren’t exactly glowing. Now, discover how thermally modified Arbor Wood Southern Yellow Pine has completely rewritten the playbook.

Southern Yellow Pine is a plentiful and low-cost wood species. Because it is very strong and quite hard (especially for a softwood), Southern Yellow Pine (SYP), has been widely used for interior and exterior framing lumber and decking. When SYP lumber is pressure treated with chemicals, it becomes more resistant to rot, decay and insects. It is the most widely used exterior decking material in the US.

Pros and Cons of Standard Southern Yellow Pine Lumber

The biggest problems with standard (non-modified) Southern Yellow Pine lumber are all moisture related issues - especially when it is used outdoors. Some warping, twisting, cupping, splitting and other wood movement issues are not uncommon with standard or pressure treated SYP.

Pros of Standard Southern Yellow Pine

• Plentiful, harvested in the US, readily available
• Exceptionally strong and hard
• Long spans make it ideal for framing lumber
• Low-cost makes it very budget-friendly
• Unique graining

Cons of Standard Southern Yellow Pine

• With uneven moisture (or poor drying), may tend to twist, warp or cup
• May split, check, or crack, especially near the ends of boards that are not pre-drilled

Arbor Wood is Not Your Daddy’s Pine

Why is Arbor Wood Pine different than standard Southern Pine? Many of the unique benefits of Arbor Wood thermally modified Southern Yellow Pine wood are a result of their trademarked thermal modification process. Others come from their raw material selection. 

“Our thermal modification process is the magic. It not only improves the performance it enhances the aesthetics.”

- Andrew Ellingson, Director of Sales and Marketing, Arbor Wood Co.

Arbor Wood Performance

Arbor Wood® uses the Thermowood® thermal modification process for their decking, siding and lumber products. This method fundamentally changes the cellular structure of the wood, using nothing but heat and steam. When the wood is “cooked”, the wood cells become encapsulated and prevent moisture from passing in or out.

Arbor Wood’s process improves the wood’s performance and minimizes the opportunity for Southern Yellow Pine to misbehave. The results are:

• Highly stable wood decking and siding materials
• Minimum expansion and contraction.
• Resistant to insects, decay
• Minimal cupping and warping, without the need for chemical treatment.
• 20-year limited warranty

Aesthetics of Arbor Wood Pine

To begin the process, Arbor Wood first carefully selects high grade Southern Yellow Pine lumber. The material is sustainably harvested by reliable suppliers right here in the US. They start with high-end C&BTR grade material. Choose from either mixed grain or vertical grain wood. The material has a beautiful look and is nearly free of any knots or blemishes. The original SYP lumber has a light blonde appearance. Other than the unique grain of the pine, nothing really "pops".

You can see the difference between standard Southern Yellow Pine and Arbor Wood thermally modified Southern Pine here. When Arbor Wood thermally modifies the wood, you end up with a gorgeous “caramelized” look. Combined with unique graining of Southern Yellow Pine, this richer, darker tone has the allure of much more costly wood decking or siding products.

“The result is a caramelized appearance that makes it almost unrecognizable from the original pine wood”

Arbor Wood Southern Pine Options

Arbor Wood Pine is available in decking, siding and lumber for all sorts of project design needs. Choose from different wood profile options, various finishing options and a whole lot more. 

Arbor Wood Pine Decking

Finally, an affordable real wood decking that looks great, performs exceptionally well and meets project design needs. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT ARBOR WOOD DECKING HERE

Arbor Wood Pine Cladding

Cladding Profiles

Arbor Wood thermally modified SYP cladding opens a world of design opportunities for you. For starters, there are two different T&G siding profile options and the Climate-Shield rainscreen cladding profile.

Architectural Cladding Finishes

There are some great enhanced appearance options to make it even more beautiful for a high-end design look without blowing your budget. For cladding, they offer even more spectacular architectural finish options.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ARBOR WOOD SIDING HERE

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